08. Policy: Fall 2019 PLS Updates

Primary tabs

Submitted by jenny_hunter on Mon, 11/18/2019 - 12:40pm

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship	X	Action	X
Excellent Educators	X	Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students	X	Discussion
Operations and Support	X

The Fall 2019 PLS Updates have been received from NCSBA. They include three optional new policies (we are recommending only two) and revisions to 42 current policies (we are recommending 41). Many of the policies have only minor changes or technical revisions such as changes to cross-references, legal citations, web links or typographical errors. Others have more substantive changes. Please note the following information about specific updates:

Policy 7360/8225, Crowdfunding on Behalf of the School System: This is an optional new policy established to assist the board in controlling crowdfunding on behalf of the school system. The policy authorizes employees to engage in crowdfunding activities within the limits established by the policy.

Policy 4334/5035/7345, Use of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones): This optional new policy authorizes the use of drones on school property and at school sponsored events with prior approval of the superintendent or designee when certain conditions are met.

Updates to address new record retention requirements: The following policies have been updated to reflect the General Records Schedule for Local Government Agencies, the new records retention and disposition schedule applicable to LEAs: policy 4700, Student Records; policy 5070/7350, Public Records – Retention, Release, and Disposition; and policy 5071/7351, Electronically Stored Information Retention.

Policy 7410, Teacher Contracts: This policy was updated to address a change in the teacher contract law. The policy was updated (1) to add a definition of “year” for purposes of determining a teacher’s years of employment by the board, in accordance with a change in law, and (2) to specify that three consecutive years of employment are necessary for eligibility for a multi-year contract. Alternatively, the board may count years of employment cumulatively, but to do so the board must modify the policy.

Policy 3620, Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations: This policy was updated to address NCHSAA rule changes. The update adds new provisions regarding transgender student participation and eligibility of home school students for participation.

Updates to address CBD products: The following policies have been updated to address CBD-containing substances: policy 4325, Drugs and Alcohol (prohibits all substances containing CBD or THC); policy 6125, Administering Medicines to Students (prohibits the administration of CBD- and THC-containing substances, with some exceptions); and policy 7240, Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace (prohibits all substances containing CBD or THC).

Policy 4333, Weapons, Bomb Threats, Terrorist Threats, and Clear Threats to Safety: This policy was updated to add other forms of prohibited behavior. The policy now prohibits these additional forms of conduct: planting fake explosive devices on school property; threatening an act of mass violence; making a false report of an impending act of mass violence; and planting a fake weapon of mass destruction on school property.

Policy 5210, Distribution and Display of Non-School Material: Includes new content to address political signs placed on school rights-of-way during designated periods.

Policy 7241, Drug and Alcohol Testing of Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators: This update is necessary to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations issued in 2016 that have a compliance deadline of January 6, 2020. The regulations require employers of drivers whose duties require a commercial driver’s license under federal law to conduct queries of the new federal Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. While there is no requirement that local boards have a policy in place by that deadline, school districts nevertheless must comply with new federal requirements beginning January 6.

The 43 policies listed below are presented as first-read information. Approval of the policies will be requested at the next regular meeting. Dr. Brian Weaver will answer any questions you may have.

A motion is in order to accept the 43 policies listed below as first-read information.

Fall 2019 PLS Updates (first-read information)
1200	Governing Principle – Student Success
1310/4002	Parental Involvement
1400	Governing Principle – School Initiatives
1500	Governing Principle – Safe, Orderly, and Inviting Environment
1700	Governing Principle – Removal of Barriers
1800	Governing Principle – Stewardship of Resources
2010	Board and Superintendent Relations
2300	Board Meetings
3102	Online Instruction
3225/4312/7320	Technology Responsible Use
3620	Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations
4040/7310	Staff-Student Relations
4240/7312	Child Abuse – Reports and Investigations
4270/6145	Concussion and Head Injury
4325	Drugs and Alcohol
4333	Weapons, Bomb Threats, Terrorist Threats, and Clear Threats to Safety
4334/5035/7345 NEW	Use of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones)
4400	Attendance
4700	Student Records
5015	School Volunteers
5070/7350	Public Records – Retention, Release, and Disposition
5071/7351	Electronically Stored Information Retention
5210	Distribution and Display of Non-School Material
5220	Collections and Solicitations
6120	Student Health Services
6125	Administering Medicines to Students
6140	Student Wellness
6220	Operation of School Nutrition Services
6230	School Meal and Competitive Foods Standards
6305	Safety and Student Transportation Services
6315	Drivers
6420	Contracts with the Board
7100	Recruitment and Selection of Personnel
7130	Licensure
7240	Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace
7241	Drug and Alcohol Testing of Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators
7360/8225 NEW	Crowdfunding on Behalf of the School System
7410	Teacher Contracts
7430	Substitute Teachers
7820	Personnel Files
8220	Gifts and Bequests
8340	Insurance
8350	Fixed Assets Inventory